Consensus Process

1. DEFINITIONS
   1. Member
      1. A current member of La Reunion Cooperative, as defined by applicable house policy.
   2. House
      1. All current members of La Reunion Cooperative.
   3. Proposal
      1. A topic presented to the house for discussion, change to house policy, the allocation of funds, or general approval.
   4. Sponsor
      1. The member who represents a proposal.
   5. Facilitator
      1. The member who insures the “Ground Rules”.
   6. Minutes Taker
      1. The member who takes the meeting minutes.
   7. Minority
      1. At least 1/4 of the members present at the meeting.
   8. Simple majority
      1. At least 1/2 of the members present at the meeting.
   9. Super majority
      1. At least 2/3 of members present at the meeting.
   10. Consensus Check
       1. A step of the consensus process when members have the option of making a described twinkle motion to indicate their level of consent.
   11. The Floor
       1. Speaking rights to address the meeting.
   12. The Stack
       1. A list of members who wish to speak.
   13. Relevant
       1. Discussion that conforms to the current step of the meeting.
   14. Move-On
       1. A general circular motion.
   15. Up-Twinkle
       1. A general upward motion to show approval.
   16. Middle-Twinkle
       1. A general outward motion to show neutrality.
   17. Down-Twinkle
       1. A general downward motion to show disapproval.
   18. Block-Twinkle
       1. A general motion of guarding oneself from attack.
   19. Quorum
       1. Seven members are required to be in attendance at a house meeting to meet quorum.
2. GROUND RULES
   1. Proposals are introduced in any order determined by the present members
   2. Members must convey their request to be on the stack to the facilitator without disrupting any member who currently has the floor.
   3. All members who wish to be on the stack must be added to the stack.
   4. All members on the stack must be given a chance to speak.
   5. The facilitator determines who has the floor using the stack.
   6. Should the minutes taker request time to make notes the floor should be held by the facilitator until the minutes taker indicates that they are ready to proceed.
   7. When a member has the floor they should keep their comments relevant.
   8. If members who do not have the floor indicate move-on, the facilitator should assess if the member with the floor is speaking with relevance.
      1. If the member is relevant they should be allowed to keep the floor.
      2. If the member is not relevant they will be asked to concede the floor and must request to be added to the stack again.
   9. During a consensus check the facilitator will observe the twinkles made by the house to determine how to proceed with a proposal.
      1. If there are at least two block-twinkles:
         1. The facilitator will ask the blocking members for a reason why they are blocking. - If at least two of the blocks are found to be relevant the facilitator will table the proposal.
            1. If less than two blocks are found to not be relevant the facilitator will continue to 2.i.II.
            2. If at least 90% of the non-blocking members present affirmatively decide that a block is not relevant, then the block is overridden.
      2. If not 2.i.I then, if there is at least a super majority of up-twinkles the proposal continues.
      3. If not 2.i.II then, if there is at least a minority of down-tinkles the proposal is tabled.
      4. If not 2.i.III then, if there is at least a simple majority of up-twinkles the proposal continues.
   10. At any time the sponsor can table their proposal.
3. INTRODUCING A PROPOSAL
   1. A proposal is introduced by being read from the meeting agenda by the facilitator.
   2. The sponsor elaborates on the proposal as they feel is appropriate
4. POINTS OF INFORMATION AND CLARIFYING QUESTIONS
   1. The facilitator will introduce this phase as “Points of Information and Clarifying Questions” and advertise that members can now join the stack for this phase.
   2. Conversation that is relevant:
      1. Members may offer information which they believe is relevant.
      2. Members may ask a direct question about the proposal.
      3. Any member with the answer to a question may override the stack in order to provide a direct response.
   3. When the stack is closed the facilitator will call for a consensus check by asking if the house wishes to move on to “Concerns and Friendly Amendments”.
5. CONCERNS, FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS, AND FINAL CALL
   1. The facilitator will introduce this phase as “Concerns and Friendly Amendments” and advertise that members can not join the stack for this phase.
   2. Conversation that is relevant:
      1. Members may voice concerns
      2. Members may offer friendly amendments to address concerns that they or another member has expressed
   3. When a friendly amendment has been proposed the facilitator should ask the sponsor if they accept the amendment.
      1. If the friendly amendment is rejected the facilitator will return to the stack.
      2. If the friendly amendment is accepted by the sponsor the facilitator will start a stack for the friendly amendment allowing members present to voice any points of information, clarifying questions, or concerns, to the proposed friendly amendment.
      3. Once the friendly amendment stack is clear the facilitator will ask for a consensus check on the friendly amendment.
   4. When the stack is closed the facilitator will ask the minutes taker to read the final wording of the proposal.
   5. After the final proposal has been read a final consensus check for the proposal will be called. Quorum must be met for a consensus check to be called.
   6. At the discretion of the facilitator, previous amendments may be revisited before the proposal is finally tabled.

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